Tuner: A Diverting but Ludicrous Exploration of Talent and Crime Daniel Roher’s Tuner is a film that revels in its own eccentricity, blending the tropes of the “gifted prodigy who’s gone to seed” archetype with a heist narrative that leans into absurdity. The story follows Niki, a piano tuner with an uncanny ability to crack safes, played by Leo Woodall. Niki’s talents, which he uses to earn a living by tuning pianos, become a catalyst for a series of events that thrust him into the world of crime. The film’s premise is rooted in the idea that Niki’s skills are not just practical but almost superhuman, allowing him to outwit criminals and secure lucrative opportunities. The plot unfolds when Niki, during a late-night tuning job at a mansion, encounters a trio of Israeli “security professionals” led by Uri (Lior Raz). These individuals are attempting to drill into a homeowner’s safe, claiming their actions are justified. Niki, frustrated by the commotion, intervenes and opens the safe in under 10 minutes, earning a job offer from Uri. Initially hesitant, Niki’s decision to accept the offer is driven by a personal crisis: his friend Harry suffers a medical emergency, leaving him in debt and desperate. Niki’s involvement with Uri’s crew leads to a string of simple robberies, where the group exploits the trust of wealthy clients by stealing valuables from their safes. The film’s narrative is built on the tension between Niki’s intellectual prowess and his moral ambiguity, as he navigates a life of crime while grappling with his own sense of purpose. The film’s structure balances low-impact criminal activity with a subplot involving a quiet, crosstown romance between Niki and Ruthie, a classical music student played by Havana Rose Liu.#leo_woodall #daniel_roher #lior_raz #havana_rose_liu #black_bear
